Adenotome



Oct. 7, 1941. I R; g s l-l BgR" 2,258,287

- ADENOTOME I Filed May 23, 1940 Patented Oct. 7, 1941 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AnENoToME v p j Martha RyGri eshab'er, Chicago, 111. Application May23, 1940,seria1"No. 336,732 eclaimsk (outs-409) This invention relates to adenotomes and more particularly to devices of this type having a slid"- ably disposed cutting .elementin a fenestrated head, and. a detachably connected operating member slidably mounted in a frame member.

object of this invention is to provide an adenotome of simple and sturdy construction and of exceptionally smooth action, being provided of a minimum numberof parts that, are easily assembled and disassembledand incapable of accidentalseparation while in use.

Two forms of adenotomes have heretofore been provided. Generally, eachform has been constructed with an operating or movable partarranged to slide in a curved frame or stationary part. When the moving part is arranged to slide against the outside Surface of the curved frame, as in one form, lugs or'clamps of relatively small contact area hold the parts together. The forward movement of the operatingpart along this outside surface-of the curve andthe reaction of the cutting element tend to cause bucklin of the operating element away from the curved frame and to increase the frictional drag -atthe small contact areas. In the other form, the tendency to buckle is somewhat lessened by the operating part being located on the inside of the curve of the frame member, but similar clamping means hold the parts together. Due to the delicate use to which devices of this kind are put, smooth and easy action of the moving parts is antimportant consideration. In neither form has any attempt been made to reduce this frictional. drag by distributing it over a maximum contactual area between the parts so. as to reduce the unit pressure and allow these parts to move smoothly and freely and without requiring unnecessary force to be exerted. In both forms, the drag has been excessive and the very character of the construction employed required extra clamping and holding devices,- which not only interfered withsmooth and easy operation, but also addedto the difficulties of assembling the parts each time, as well as making accidental separation or accidental unlocking of ing means possible.

Accordingly, this invention aims to provide a new construction of adenotome that effectively eliminates the difficulties 'a'bove enumerated, having an exceptionally smooth operating action and a quick assembly of the parts, preventing any possibility of accidental separation during use, aswell as provide for a structure of mini mum parts.

the hOld- To this endyan object of the invention is to 55 provide a device of this construction having the curved frame member as a tube, or like enclosure,

withthe operating part slidably movable therein, thereby providing maximum contactual surface between the same so as to distribute the friction and eliminate all binding and all point contacts, as well as making possible the employment-of a new and novel type of detachable connection between the blade and the operating member.

A further object of this'invention is'to provide a device of this construction with a new and novel type of detachable connection between the blade and the operating member which will readily operate to connect these parts together preferably by'movernent of the operating part forwardly through the; tubular frame member, thus eliminating undesirable locking devices heretofore provided that swinger thread into latching position and' become accidentally released. at times. I T 1 Other objects and'advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detail description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms 'a part hereof.

In the drawing; i Figure 1 is a side elevation of an adenotome embodying the invention; j a

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section of the fenestrated head, movable blade therein, tubular frame and the connection between the blade and the operating-member slidably movable in the tubular frame, this view further illustrating'the simplicity of the construction and the manner in which the tube readily lends itself for connection to the fenestrated head to secure a sturdy and light construction; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the adenotome; Fig.4 isa topplan view illustrating the manner in which the connection'between the blade and the forward end of'theoperating member can be easily broken;

Fig. 5- is a sideview of the structure shown inFig.4; 4

Fig. 6 is a side View of the operating member withdrawn from the tubular frame after being detached at its forward end from the blade; Fig; .7 is a bottom plan view of' the forward end of the operating member to show its bifurcation; a Fig. 8 is a view of the cutting member; p

Figs. 9 and 10 are further forms of detachable connections that may be used between the cutting element and the forward end of theoperating member; and I I Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective of the front end of the instrument to illustrate the fenestra.

The adenotome illustrated herein as a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a tubular frame member 5 having finger pieces 6 and 1, and an operating member or rod 8 disposed to fit within tubular frame member 5 and to be slidably movable therein, there being a swivelly mounted thumb piece or ring 9 at. the outer end of rod'8. It will be noted that tubular frame member 5 is curved and that rod 8 is correspondingly curved so as to move smoothly back,

and forth therein, this form of mounting afford.- ing maximum contact between these parts and providing a bearing surface for the rod' that this stud. See Fig. 5. When bifurcated end 24 moves forwardly sufficiently to bring opening 3| directly over stud 25, spring member 21 drops down upon this stud so that the latter lies in ,ztendant may free spring member 21 from stud 25 by pressing upwardly at tip 28 to lift it above top 33 and by pulling rod 8 outwardly at the -same time; The bifurcated end .22 will readily evenly distributes the pressure exerted during I the cutting operation and eliminates binding at point contacts that increases the frictional drag.

In this connection, I wish it to be understood that the term tubular is notto be construed to mean circular, but any shape cross-sectionally that completelyembraces the operating part and accomplishes the same result. 7 The forward end of tubular frame member 5 is secured to a head 10, as by welding or the like indicated'at ll. Head Ill includes a substantially flat bottom wall 42 that is grooved at l3 to. embrace the forward end of rod 8 as it moves forwardly in the-cutting operation 'so as to permit a thinner wall -l2 to be used to secure a light 'and more efficient construction which is desirable. Walll-2 merges-with a curved fenestrated wall 30 provided with a cutting opening l4. Walls [2 and -30 have opposed side walls l5 and top walls 16, which form channels I! on each side to receive a slidably movable cutting element or blade 18, these walls continuing forwardly to extend channels I! about curved front wall 30, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to guide blade 18 throughout the entire cutting stroke. The usualpocket 19 is-provided with front wall 20 slotted asshown in Fig. 31

Rod '8'is reduced at its forward end, as shown in Fig. 6. This reduced forward end 2| is formed by cutting rod 8 away, both at thebottom and top, substantially equally,to formflat faces 22 and 23, respectively. The tip of reduction 2| is bifurcated at 24 to forkor embrace a stud 25 riveted or otherwise suitably secured to blade l8. It will be noted that bottom face 22 of reduced end 2| is tapered at 26 adjacent its tip so as to facilitate the forking movement thereof about stud 25. A yieldably di'splaceable member 21 with a slightly upturned tip 28 is seated upon topface 23 and riveted at 29 to reduced end 2|. Member 21 may be of any suitable material but I find material that will readily yield excellent for: this purposepb'ecause it will readily flex upwardly when its tip 28 rides over the top face 33 of'blade stud 25 and clear the latter until an opening 3| therein registers with stud 25 and allows the spring member 21 to drop over and upon this stud so that the upper part of this stud extending above the bifurcation 24 will rest in this opening 31. Thus the blade [8 and rod 8 are detachably connected by the mere forward movement of rod 8 in tubular frame member 5. The construction of the parts described may be varied somewhat to secure the desired results. Theslot formed by bifurcation 24 and opening 31* furnish means for readily connecting stud 25 with the forward end of rod 8. Face 33 of stud .25 maybe tapered slightly at 32 to aid in tip 28 of spring member 21 riding freely over and upon free itself from stud 25 and rod 8 may then be withdrawn. Assembling the structure may be accomplished substantially in the same simple way. Blade I8 is first seated in channels IT in head l-U. Rod 8 is then inserted in tubular frame 5 and moved forwardly until automatically connected to stud '25, as previously explained. Tip 28 of spring member21will ride'up and over stud 25 until opening 3'l is brought over this stud. I'he 'bifur-cated end 22 of rod 8 will fork stud 25 and keep spring member 2T centered so that opening'31' therein will be brought'overstud 25.

Figsf9 andlO disclose various other embodiments of the invention, thereby illustrating that the essential featuresof the invention are not to be limited to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inelusive. In both of these alternative forms, rod -8 is provided with a reduced end 22 and is bifurcated'at 24 for straddling or embracing stud 25 or otherwise engaging an equivalent appurtenance' on "blade l8. In Fig. 9, a member 35 having a. displaceable tip 36'may be employed. In Fig. 10, a. nqember '40displaceable by a pivotal movement about its mounting 4! may be used.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that not only does the tubular frame member 5 with rod 8 movable therein provide for smoother action during the use of the device, because ;forces heretofore hampering free movement'have been eliminated and a maximum hearing surface between these parts is obtained, but a noveltype of detachable connection between rod 8 and blade l8 may be employed which is operative to eifect a connection by the movement of the rod itself in the tubular frame member, thus eliminating all added locking devices that were heretofore necessary to maintain a connection between the rod and blade, and, at the same time, to hold the rod and frame member together in operating relation.

Without furtherelaboration, the foregoing will so fully' explain the gist' of my invention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under varying conditions'of service, without eliminating certain features, which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be defined and secured to me by the following claims.

I claim:

. 1. iA-device of the type described comprising a frame member, a head at the forward end of said frame member, a blade movable in said head, a rod slidably movable along said frame member and having a bifurcated forward end for detachable connection with said blade, a stud on said blade adapted to be received in said bifurcated end, and a spring member carried by and overlying saidbifurcated end and having an opening therein, said spring member receiving in its said opening the upper end of said stud which projects above said bifurcation to detaehably hold said stud in said bifurcated end.

2. A device of the type described comprising a frame member, a head at ,the forward end of said frame member, a blade movable in said head, a rod slidably movable along said frame member and having a bifurcated forward end for detachable connection with said blade, a stud on said blade adapted to be received in said bifurcated end, and displaceable latching means carried by said rod for locking said stud in said bifurcated end and permitting retractable movement of said blade by said rod.

3. A device of the type described comprising a frame member, a head at the forward end of said frame member, a blade movable in said head, a rod slidably movable along said frame member having a bifurcated forward end, a stud on said slightly thereabove, and a displaceab-le apertured latching member carried by said rod, the upper end of said stud engaging in the aperture of said member for locking said stud in said bifurcated forward end of said rod and permitting retractable movement of said blade by said rod.

4. A device of the type described comprising a frame member, a head at the forward end of said frame member, a cutting element movable in said head, a rod slidably movable along said frame member having a substantially flat bifurcated forward end, a substantially fiat apertured spring member secured to said flat forward end of said rod, and a stud on said blade adapted to lie in said bifurcated end and in said aperture of said spring member to form a detachable connection between said blade and said rod, said stud being of a height which is at least equal to the combined thicknesses of said fiat forward end of said rod and said flat spring member.

MARTHA R. GRIESHABER. 

